Description of the sugarcane bagasse fermentation by Trichoderma viride M5-2 in a static bioreactor through a phenomenologic model

In order to describe the sugarcane bagasse fermentation by Trichoderma viride M5-2 in a static bioreactor through a phenomenologic model, the software FERSOLID was used (Dustet 2004). The data were the yield coefficients, the reactor traits, and the type of kinetic model. As outputs of the software, it was obtained the performance of the air flow in respect to the time and the time behavior of the biomass concentration, of the substrate, and the solid humidity. The outcomes obtained in the description of the model predict a constant value or air flow throughout the fermentation time, if the air input and output temperatures are kept constant. The substrate concentration showed a performance similar to the decline observed experimentally. The final biomass was comparable to that estimated through the true protein in the experiment. The percentages of initial and final humidity, calculated by the model were almost the same, which agreed with the experimental results, where there was progressive increment of the substrate humidity. This work proved that the model can be used to evaluate the bioreactor functioning, out of the comparison between the experimental information and that predicted by the model. However, the humidity results deserve greater attention to attain the best initial fit, considering the microbial metabolism. Also, it is possible to use it in the bioreactor functioning design, always fulfilling the fundamental predictions in which the model was established. Key words: modelling, solid fermentation, bioreactor, Trichoderma viride, bagasse .